Oooh, I love recommending books!
It depends on the age of course... but one that came to mind right away was "Night" by Elie Wiesel (you're right rubymutt, its amazing). on the same "theme" The MAUS series by art spiegelman. If you are interested in learning about the holocaust MAUS is a great option. Especially if you aren't a big reader. It's a pulitzer prize winning comic book. Like "Night" its appropriate for H.S. students, and mature Junior High students (and adults).
To Kill A Mockingbird.
Anything by the Brontes
Anything by Jane Austen (and to make life fun, read Emma, then watch Clueless, its loosely based on it, and a hoot to compare).
Catcher in the Rye, and Franny and Zooey (Salinger).
okay those are all books I think people should read...
My favorite books of all time, though:
A prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
The Awakening (Kate Chopin-like the brontes, but better)
The House of Mirth (Edith Wharton)
Ethan Fromme (Edith Wharton)
Fried Green Tomatos (Fannie Flagg)
I''m sure I'll think of more!
read MAUS if nothing else